plugs breaking off when changing
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,822
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From: Minnesota
plugs breaking off when changing
I have a 98 Expy E.B. 4X4 5.4l. After reading on here about difficult the plug changes are on these I checked into my local Ford dealer to get them done, quote was $200 plus plugs, not bad I thought. Went to drop it off, service writer informed me with the high miles (165,000) there is a good possibility some of the plugs will break off upon removal and turn a $300 tuneup into a $3,000 tuneup. I bought the truck with 107,000 miles and do not know if the plugs are original, but they told me as long as I have no runnability issues I shoud leave well enough alone. The truck is running great, was just trying to do some preventative maint. Any thoughts?
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 667
Likes: 28
they seem to try to want to disclaim being dumba**es and if they happen to break em from being idiots you will have to pay more. Take it to another shop man, I wouldn't trust anyone who says "Hey if we break it you pay for it through the nose" But thats just me dude. If you want to replace em get em replaced cause it is "suggested" every +/- 100k to replace em and if its peace of mind by all means go for it. But call around to other places if those guys are saying that. To me it shoots up a red flag about their techs.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
From: st.louis, missouri
You need to find another shop to replace the plugs. Seems to me that they want you to pay for their mistakes just in case. But it does says a lot about their mechanics. I'm sure some unfortunate soul has already been suckered in to that.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,083
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I thought the problem of breaking plugs trying to remove them was with the newer Expys. The problem with the older ones like the '98s is keeping the plugs from blowing out! Looks like we have come full circle.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 467
Likes: 1
From: Where the war is...
Change them yourself; don't trust a shop or a friend. If you have 165k miles and are worried they haven't been changed, then I would recommend starting with #5 (drivers side front plug) as an experiment: One thing that I did to make sure the plug would come out safely was to shoot a good amount of a WD40/LiquidWrench-like product in the plug well, let is sit for a while so that it seeped into the threads, then unscrewed it gently, just make sure you have a good socket purchase on the plug sides and a good wrench combo. You won't break it. If #5 still doesn't dislodge, then spray in more solvent and let it sit overnight, come back next day and try it again. The big thing with those plug wells is making sure you clean the area around the top of the well thoroughly and use compressed air to dry it out.
